University of Delaware Students Barred from “Ridiculing” with the Intent of “Excluding or Degrading a Person”

A student shall not impair, interfere with, or obstruct the orderly conduct, process, or function of the University or any of its students, faculty members, University officials, guests or the surrounding community.

2. Prohibited Activities

Specific violations of this standard include, but are not limited to: …

f. Bullying (Any deliberately hurtful behavior, usually repeated over time, with the desired outcome of frightening, intimidating, excluding or degrading a person. This includes, but is not limited to, physical assault, verbal abuse, teasing, ridiculing and spreading of rumors or private information about a person and may be done by any method of delivery, such as verbal, written or electronic); …

I would have thought that university students — as well as faculty members and university officials — are old enough to deal themselves with “teasing,” “ridiculing,” and attempts at “excluding or degrading,” without the administration’s help; but the University thinks otherwise. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education is urging the University to change its policy.